Revival of trade ties, toning down rhetoric and push for dialogue- Indo Pak bilateral ties set for a makeover?

Though too early to decipher, there has been a softening of stands from both sides as far as India and Pakistan relations are concerned. The first indication came about a month ago when Gen Bajwa said that both countries need to bury the past and work towards a peaceful future. The statement from Army Chief is a major shift in Pakistan’s stance since for past 18 months post abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir by Govt of India, it has been trying in vain to raise the issue in all international fora and PM Imran Khan and his ministers often resorting to name calling of Indian PM and other leaders. While many tend to think that the ‘selected’ government of Imran Khan has always been controlled by the Pak Army which has now come realise the futility of raising Kashmir bogey and loss of support from its erstwhile well wishers.

So, the letter from PM Modi to Imran Khan on Pakistan National Day was a statesmanlike gesture to nudge the diplomatic relations between two neighbours towards a positive outlook while underlining that India desires cordial relations with Pakistan but an atmosphere of trust, devoid of terror and hostility, is “imperative” for it. Prime Minister Imran Khan replied to his Indian counterpart saying creation of an “enabling environment” is imperative for a constructive and result-oriented dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, in particular the Jammu and Kashmir issue. While it is understandable that Pakistan cannot suddenly drop mention of Kashmir from context as the survival of Government depends on riding this sentiment, the letter is much softer and sober in content. The DGMOs of India and Pakistan announced on February 25 that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

It is more or less clear to everyone that India has effectively taken J&K issue off the table from any future discussions since 05 August 2019 and slowly Pakistan has to accept the reality and move forward. The Covid 19 pandemic and economic situation of Pakistan is a double whammy to the country and it has to yield space on other issues to ensure stability within and come out of the crisis. For the first time, the armed forces have also come under scrutiny by people as well as political parties and the PDM support has been growing over the year.

Dialogue is the only way forward for India and Pakistan, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a news channel in an exclusive interview, while appreciating that India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar didn’t mention anything negative about Pakistan in his address to the recently concluded Heart of Asia conference. ”Pakistan has never shied away from talks, we believe that dialogue is the only way forward. There are two nuclear powers, who cannot indulge in the stupidity of war, this would be equivalent to suicide,” he said.

The Pakistan government on Wednesday approved the resumption of trade ties with India in a major step by Islamabad to attempt a revival of relations with New Delhi, Pakistan media reported. The approval comes amidst a renewed push for peace between the two countries. Pakistan’s cabinet committee on economic affairs gave its nod to importing cotton from India till June 30, 2021, reports said. Pakistan had snapped trade ties with India following the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the division of the erstwhile state into two new Union Territories. Approval for sugar imports is also expected soon. While India has shown passive interest in resumption of trade with Pakistan, official response is still awaited.

The bilateral relations between the two nuclear armed neighbours have witnessed many a false starts in the past. Will the present indicators fructify into tangible actions is yet to be seen, but in the existing geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions, Pakistan will have a lot to gain if peace and friendly relations prevail with its eastern neighbour.